You're probably here because you're staring at an app that isn't available in your country. Or maybe you're moving to London and need the local App Store to download a specific banking app. It’s annoying. Apple makes it surprisingly difficult to just "be" somewhere else digitally. Honestly, it’s a bit of a maze because "location" on an iPhone isn't just one thing. It’s a mix of your GPS coordinates, your IP address, and your Apple ID region.
If you want to how to change the location on your iphone, you have to decide which layer you're trying to peel back.
Are you trying to trick Find My Friends? Are you trying to watch Netflix libraries from Japan? Or are you literally moving your entire digital life to a new country? Each of these requires a completely different approach. Most people get this wrong and end up locking themselves out of their subscriptions or losing their iCloud music library. Don't do that.
The Apple ID Method: When You're Actually Moving
This is the "official" way. It’s the deep-level change. When you change your Apple ID country, you are telling Apple that your legal residence has moved. This isn't something you do for an afternoon to catch a soccer match.
Apple’s official documentation (support.apple.com) is very clear about the prerequisites, but they don't tell you how much of a headache it is if you aren't prepared. First, you have to spend every single cent of your remaining Apple ID balance. If you have $0.08 left? You're stuck. You literally have to contact Apple Support to have them "clear" the change for you.
Then there’s the subscription trap. You must cancel every active subscription. This includes Apple Music, iCloud+ (the big one), and any third-party apps billed through the App Store. You have to wait until the end of the current billing cycle for these to expire before the system even lets you click "Change Country or Region."
Once you've cleared the decks, go to Settings, tap your Name, then Media & Purchases. Tap View Account and find Country/Region. You’ll have to select your new home, agree to terms that are fifty pages long, and enter a valid payment method for that specific country. If you don't have a credit card issued in that region, you're basically at a dead end here.
Why this method is a gamble
You lose your purchase history. Well, not exactly—you can still see it—but you might not be able to re-download apps that aren't available in the new country. Your iCloud Music Library? Wiped. You'll have to re-upload or re-sync everything. It’s a scorched-earth policy.
Faking GPS: The Pokémon GO and Privacy Angle
Now, maybe you don't want to change your billing address. Maybe you just want your phone to think it's in a different spot on the map. This is where things get technical.
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iOS is a walled garden. Unlike Android, there isn't a simple "Allow Mock Locations" toggle in the developer settings. To change your GPS location on an iPhone, you essentially have to trick the system through a tethered connection.
Software like iAnyGo or AnyTo (typical names in the "location spoofer" world) works by using the Apple Developer protocol. You plug your iPhone into a Mac or PC, and the software sends a command to the phone saying, "Hey, your coordinates are now 48.8584° N, 2.2945° E." Your phone believes it. Every app—Google Maps, Tinder, Life360—will show you at the Eiffel Tower.
It’s effective. It’s also risky.
Niantic, the folks behind Pokémon GO, have become incredibly good at detecting these "virtual" movements. If your phone suddenly jumps from New York to Tokyo in three seconds, you're getting a "soft ban" instantly. Real human movement isn't a teleport; it’s a path. High-end spoofing software now includes "joystick" modes and "natural speed" settings to mimic a person walking or driving.
The Jailbreak Question
A few years ago, jailbreaking was the go-to for this. You’d install a tweak like "LocationHandle" and be done with it. Today? Jailbreaking is mostly a hobbyist's game for older versions of iOS. With iOS 17 and 18, the security layers (Pointer Authentication Codes and the like) make it nearly impossible for the average user. Stick to the desktop-tethering method if you value your device’s security.
The VPN Route: Unlocking Content
If your goal is just to change your location on your iPhone to access Netflix or YouTube Premium prices, a VPN is your best friend. But wait. A VPN does not change your GPS. It changes your IP address.
If you open the Weather app while on a VPN, it might still show your local weather because it’s using GPS. But if you open Safari and search "What is my IP," you’ll see the VPN server's location.
- Download a reputable VPN (ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or Surfshark are the industry standards).
- Open the app and pick a server.
- Watch as your data is encrypted and tunneled.
This is the safest way to "move" because it doesn't mess with Apple’s internal settings. It’s a mask, not a face transplant. However, many streaming services now use "residential proxy detection." They know the IP ranges that VPN companies use. If you get an error saying "You seem to be using an unblocker," it’s because the server you picked is blacklisted. Switching to a different city within the same country usually fixes this.
Changing Your Location on Find My Friends
This is a specific, often sensitive request. People usually want to do this for privacy reasons. "How do I change my location on iPhone without them knowing?" is a massive search query for a reason.
If you just turn off "Share My Location," the other person gets a notification or sees "Location Not Available." That’s a red flag.
The "Pro" move involves a second Apple device. If you have an iPad or an old iPhone, leave it at the "safe" location (like your house). Go into the Find My app on that device, go to the Me tab, and select "Use this [Device] as My Location." Now, you can take your primary iPhone anywhere in the world, and anyone tracking you will only see the stationary iPad at home.
It’s simple. It’s elegant. It doesn't require any shady software.
The Technical Reality of Geofencing
Apple uses something called "Core Location." It’s a framework that gathers data from GPS satellites, Wi-Fi hotspots, and cellular towers. Even if you turn off GPS, your phone knows where it is based on the Wi-Fi routers around you. Every router has a MAC address, and companies like Google and Apple have mapped these addresses to physical locations.
This is why, sometimes, even with a VPN and a GPS spoofer, an app might still "leak" your true location. To be truly invisible, you’d have to disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth entirely, which makes a modern iPhone almost useless.
Actionable Steps for Success
Ready to make the move? Follow this specific sequence to ensure you don't break your device's ecosystem.
If you are moving to a new country permanently:
- Cancel all Apple subscriptions immediately.
- Go to
appleid.apple.comon a web browser (it’s often easier than on the device) and update your billing address. - Download a "Travel" folder of apps you'll need in the new region before you switch, just in case.
If you are trying to bypass a regional blackout for a game:
- Do not use a free VPN. They sell your data and their IPs are almost always blocked.
- Use a desktop-based GPS spoofer if the app uses "Precise Location" (like MLB.TV or most betting apps).
- Force-close the app you're trying to trick before changing your location. If the app is running in the background, it will see the "jump" and flag your account.
If you just want privacy from family or friends:
- Use the "Second Device" trick mentioned above. It is the only foolproof way to stay off the radar without triggering an alert.
- Alternatively, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and toggle off "Precise Location" for specific apps. This gives them a 10-mile "bubble" instead of your exact coordinates.
Changing your location is a tool. Used correctly, it opens up the world. Used poorly, it gets your Apple ID flagged for fraud or your favorite gaming account banned. Be smart about which layer of location you are actually trying to change.
Next, you should check your "Significant Locations" under System Services. It's a hidden list of everywhere you've been. Clearing that is the final step in truly resetting your iPhone's sense of place.